Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime and trade sector have raised concerns over CMA CGM’s recent hike in local shipping charges, calling it a “rude shock” with serious economic implications.
CMA CGM, French shipping giant announced the new rates in a statement, effective March 10 2025, following the Nigerian Ports Authority’s 15 per cent increase in port and marine fees on March 1.
In a notice to Nigerian importers, the company defended the rate hike as a necessary response to the NPA’s recent increase in port and marine charges.
“As a result of such adjustment, we find it necessary to update our tariff structure to account for the new cost environment, effective 10 March 2025,” the company stated.
Under the revised rates, a 20-foot container will cost ₦145,327, while a 40-foot container will be charged ₦290,654.
However, industry stakeholders have voiced concerns over the sudden increase, warning of its broad economic impact.
Reacting, the National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, Emenike Nwokeoji, said that the hike is unwelcome and will drive up operational costs across various sectors.
This was disclosed in a statement via his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Sulaiman Ayokunle.
He said “It will increase cost of operation. Because once all these charges are increased, definitely it will increase total cost of either raw materials for industrial use or finished goods for market consumption.”
The association also cautioned that the added costs will be passed on to consumers, further worsening economic hardship.
“The implication is far-reaching and will get to the market member, the economy, and the downtrodden,” they said.
The association also faulted CMA CGM for implementing the increase without stakeholder consultation, stressing the need for prior engagement.
“For anybody to increase [charges], it’s supposed to go through a medium. The medium is that stakeholders should be involved,” it said.
ANLCA disclosed that it met with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in February, yet the planned increase was not mentioned. “So, why coming up within a few days by CMA CGM to increase their local charges?” the association questioned.
Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents fear that this move could prompt other shipping companies to follow suit, further increasing the financial burden on businesses already grappling with high charges.
“It has a multiplying effect on the economy. Because this is a sector that is already struggling to survive. We have too many charges.
“We made a lot of noise before they relinquished. And they said it’s been suspended. Anytime soon they might even come up again. Because everything looks silent now. They are not telling us anything,” the association stated.
Also, the National President of the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, Frank Ogunojemite,
warned that the hike would weaken consumers’ purchasing power and further raise the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.
“The recent increment by CMA CGM will lead to higher prices for goods and services in Nigeria while making consumers experience reduced purchasing power due to higher prices.
“Higher shipping and terminal charges lead to increased costs for importers and exporters, which will be passed on to consumers,” he said.
Freight forwarders warn that rising logistics costs could shrink business profits and weaken the global competitiveness of Nigerian enterprises.
Stakeholders are calling on the NPA to act swiftly to prevent more shipping companies from following CMA CGM’s example.
They said “NPA told us that the 15 percent hike will not lead to additional charges at the ports, but now the CMA CGM has blamed its recent increment on the hike in port tariff by the NPA. [It] must look into this price increment by the shipping companies before other shipping companies follow suit.”
